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'
*8SSS*^
TmmmmmmWmM
wmWm
,
FBI asked by State to investigate Detox issue
By Gary Blair
The Minneapolis office ofthe FBI has
been asked by the Minnesota State
Health Department to investigate the
client abuse that closed the old Hennepin County detoxification center.
According to the Bureau's Special
Agent Callen Rowley, if a probe is
warranted it will follow similar lines as
the "Rodney King'' case. Rowley said,
'' Asyou remember, the first trial ended
in an aquittal and then there was a
second trial for civil rights violations. If
there is an investigation this is the type
it will be," shesaid.
Sources at the U.S. Attorney's office
in Minneapolis also confirmed thatthey
haverecievedasimilarletterfromMike
Tripple of the State's Department of
Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints. AccordingtotheU.S. Attorney's
Office, they would only act ifthe FBI's
investigation warranted. Mike Tripple,
ofthe State Health Department told the
PRESS, "We will assist them in their
investigation in any way we can.''
The client abuse which occurred at
the old Hennepin County detox center,
closed latelastyear, was no secret in the
Indian community. For years people
such as Lee Staples, an enrollee ofthe
Red Lake Reservation, tried to get Native American social service program
directors to help address the problem,
but to no avail. In October of 1992,
Staples testified in an open forum at the
Minnespolis American Indian Center
about the detox center client abuse and
about his efforts to expose it. Staples
said he went to various community
program directors and they did not offer
him any support.
Answers to why Staple's repeated
requests for help wentunaddressed may
be found on many levels in the Native
American community. Many social service programs receive part of their
fundingfrom Hennepin County and the
City of Minneapolis and our program
directors are not interested in challenging officials who vote on that funding.
In fact, the PRESS, has found that very
few program directors or their staff live
in the Indian community. Example, not
one staff person at the Minneapolis
IndianHealthBoardlivesinthePhillips
neighborhood of South Minneapolis.
Other programs may have one or two
staff that live in the neighborhood, but
forthe most partyou can count the total
number out of hundreds of people on
one hand
Ifyou ask these people who run our
community programs why they do not
live in the Indian community they'll
quickly tell you they do not want the
social problems now associated with
their own people. Example, they say,
"There's not enough decent housing.''
If they know that this is a problem, why
don't they try and do something about
it?Instead, theiranswerto poor housing
or gangproblems is to move to adifferat
neighborhood. In other words, it's
these same people who do notlive in the
community that the program funders
havelistened to when they wantto know
about the problems faced by Indian
people. Apparently, these abuse issues
have been effectively covered-up by our
so called community leadership. Why
else would these people who were using
the old Hennepin County detox center
remain quiet about being abused
If you've been following the PRESS
for the last year, you know that we've
run numerous stories on what Indian
people have reported aboutbeing abused
at the old detox center. Of course, that
was after these people learned that there
were other Indian people who were
willing to listen to them and do something about it. Now that the problem of
abuse has been exposed at the old 1800
Chicago Avenue South site, what have
our program directors been willing to
do about it? Well for starters, one of
them was outside the Johnson Brewery
Company on University Avenue in St
Paul, Minnesota, with members ofhis
staff protesting against the malt beer
called'' Crazy House.'' Of course ifyou
drink too much of that stuff you could
land in the Hennepin County detox
center and then be subjected to assault
Detox/ See Page 4
American Indian Dance theater comes to Bemidji/ Page 5
Mankiller to speak at women's conference in Mpls/ Page 6
St. Cloud American Indian Center to open/ Page 8
Vento enters amendment in favor ofNative Americans/ Page 3
New Native business forms in Woodbury/ Page 3
The Circle Editor is fired by MAIC Executive Director/ Page 1
Voice of the Anishinabeg
i
Fifty Cents
Ojibwe
News
We Support: Equal Opportunity For AB
Founded in 19B8 Volume 5 Issue BO November 1B, 1993
\
A weekly publication.
Copyright, The Ojibwe Mews, 1993
Pictured is Battery E, 127th Field Artillery, Camp Robinson, Arkansas, 1941
Picture courtesy, Howard Bibeau, Manassas, Virginia, and Viet Nam era Veterans, Inter-tribal Association and
Disabled American Veterans, Virginia Chapter 15
The only all Native American artillery unit of World War II is remembered and honored
By Frank Bibeau
It is said that "a picture is worth a
.1000 words", butthis picture is worth
at least that per person. Most of the
young men in this photo came from
Haskell Indian School to form the
' 'Only All Native American Battery
ofWorldWarll". Before attending
Haskell, theseyoung men came from
Minnesota, North and SouthDakota,
the southwest U.S., with most from
Oklahoma, where the Trail of Tears
ended with relocation for many
eastern Tribes. It is truly a testament
to the courage of these men, to know
that two generations before a similar
appearing group men in traditional
attire with weaponry, would have been
considered the enemy.
These men of Battery "E" ofthe
127th Field Artillery Battalion started
out as Calvary and conducted
maneuvers with the National Guard
in Minnesota in 1940. But as WWII
came closer to involving the U.S.,
this unit became an Artillery Battery
using WWI 155 Howitzer cannons.
I myself have only had the privilege
to meet one of these warriors in person,
Don Fairbanks from Sugar Point on
Leech Lake Reservation. Don was
still in his teens when this photo was
taken. Don is standing in the back
row, by the right cannon, with the oak
tree at his back, standing at Parade
Rest.
When Don was born in 1922, Native
Americans were still being placed on
reservations, and were not made
citizens of these United States of
America until 1924, by an Act of
Congress. I try to look at the faces of
these young men and imagine the
pace of change of their world then,
and even through today. Many of
these men have since gone on, retired,
or returned home.
I asked Don about being an all
Native American group, and if it was
a type of segregation? But unlike the
all Black groups in World War II,
Native Americans served in any unit.
Whereas I was told Blacks were not
fully integrated into the military until
Korea in the 1950's.
Don's service is truly honorable, as
he went onto serve in the Airborne
Paratroopers in Africa, Italy, France
and Germany. Don made at least 3
jumps behind enemy lines and served
a total of 420 days on the front lines in
WWII. Later he serve in Korea for
another 180 days.
As I look to my family, my father
too served and retired after 20 years in
the Air Force. Most of my uncles
served and a few of the next
generation. While I served in the
Navy, my brother is making a career
in the AirForce, which included recent
Gulf War service. And now 40 years
after Don fought in Korea, my brother
is leaving in January to serve a year in
Korea too.
I was watching the news the
other morning and there is a new
statue being placed near THE
WALL in Washington to
commemorate the women who
served in Viet Nam. It was blessed
by Native Spiritual people in
Arizona and now making its way
to Washingtonfor a 1993 Veterans
Day unveiling. While the
recognition is late, like with the
WALL, it is still very welcome.
Fortunately, Native American
culture has always welcomed home
their warriors, and honored them at
every Pow Wow with Honor Guard
ceremonies and songs. In some ways,
military service may have provided a
better transition to the culture and
society of this country than the other
forms of assimilation.
Sometimes we forget what
Veteran's Day means, or who it is
about in 1993. But as you look at this
picture you can not help but witness
the warrior and the honor of these
men.
November 15th deadline for museums is fast PNHT board of directors meet with residents
approaching
By Mel Rasmussen
On November 15, 1993, various
reservation business committees
should have received notification from
museums and Federal agencies from
across the country. These museums
must advise the tribes-of what sacred
relics they have in their collections.
This is part ofthe requirements ofthe
Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act of 1990
(NAGPRA).
The Act requires that museums and
Federal agencies document certain
Native American human remains and
cultural items within their collections.
Notify all Indian Tribes and Native
Hawaiian organizations that are or
are likely to be affiliated with these
holdings. Provide an opportunity for
the repatriation of appropriate human
remains or cultural items.
The requirement of the ACT also
applies to any department, agency, or
instrumentality ofthe United States,
excepting the Smithsonian Institution
who is covered in another ofthe Act.
More specifically, any institution or
state or local government agency
(including any institution of higher
learning) that has possession, or
control over, human remains or
cultural items and received Federal
NAGPRA/See Page 3
on housing issues
By Delvin Cree
Ruth Denny, Circle Editor, fired by MAIC
Executive Director, Frannie Fairbanks
By Mel Rasmussen
There has been a turn of events in the
issues between the Editor ofthe Circle
Newspaper and the Executive Director
of the Minneapolis American Indian
Center, Frannie Fairbanks. Ms. Denny
stated in a telephone interview that she
had been fired on Thursday, November
11 by the Executive Director. She stated
that the reason that she was terminated
was because she failed to attend staff
meetings the was ordered to attend.
Denny stated that this was a new
requirement in her position after she
had written an editorial in the Circle
concerning change in the management
within the Center. She also indicated
that she had never received any warning
of this adverse action nor any warning
concerning her actions.
Denny stated that in the early
afternoon, Fairbanks had come
downstairs to the Circle's office and
handed hera memorandum stating that
she was being fired on the spot. Denny
was asked if she was aware of any
appeals process for this adverse action
in reference to the Center's employee
manual. She has never been told of this
protection nor was she informed of her
rights. There is no indication that she
has been provided any protections or
information as to her rights With the
Center's policy and procedures manual
concerning an employees rights for
appeal.
Denny was asked if Fairbanks talked
to her about this dismissal. She stated
that all Fairbanks did was grin and
present a smug attitude about the
memorandum.. She apparently refused
to recognize her existence and just stated
that she should leave her keys with
Adeline Goodman, the Center's
Administrative Assistant. At that point
Fairbanks left and left behind the attitude
of glee and happiness as if she had
finally vanquished a foe of some type.
Denny stated that she has been in
contact with an attorney about this
matter. She was not sure of her rights as
an employee but would be sure to check
into it. It appears that the rights ofthe
First Amendment and its addressing of
freedom of the Press has finally been
violated. Censorship runs in many forms
and it is now up to the community to
address these communal issues and
rights.
Minneapolis residents who rent from
the Phillips Neighborhood Housing
Trust (PNHT) recendy had the opportunity tovoice their concerns ata special
board of directors meeting. The meeting was held at the Four Winds School
in Minneapolis.
For two hours both renters ofthe nonprofit agency and other concerned
residents grilled Christopher Owens,
Director of PNHT. PNHT has been
under heavy critisrh for years for prac-
ticing discrimination, renting
sub-standard housing, and hiring poorly-qualified staff to operate the agency.
Most ofthe people present had found
only frustration when trying to get their
complaints and concerns addressed by
Owens and his management staff.
When the board of directors were
approached they encouraged thePNHT
renters to fill out complaint forms.
"People need to fill out the complaint
forms so that we have documentation in
writing to prove that these are valid
complaints," stated John Brenner a
newly-elected member and alsoa renter.
Many ofthe renters that showed up for
themeetingfilledouttheformsandhad
the opportunity to voice their opinions.
Ronnie Fenner, who presendy works
on the maintenance staff, told the audience of about 75 to 85 people, "We
don' t have the amount of people needed
to function properly.'' When asked how
many people were on the maintenance
staff he stated that their wef e two people
responsibleforapprbxiametly 225 units.
Fenner later told the PRESS that he
worked at another housing agency with
the same number of units and they had
six people working. "Even that wasn't
enough maintenance people."
Most ofthe renters' complaints were
directed towards Owens, who had very
little to say at the meeting. Besides
Owens, one ofthe property managers,
Jacquie Weide, was criticized for im-
proper treatment of renters. Weide, who
has minimal experience in property
management, is reported tobe known in
the community for calling people of
color derrogatory names. Ina statement
made earlier she was alleged to have
referred to renters carrying a brown bag
in their hands as either drunks or drug-
dealers, "Depending on your race,"
sources said.
Another issue that came up was the
lead-poisining problems in PNHT's
housing.One resident stated that she
moved into one ofthe PNHT units and
found out only later that it was lead
contaminated. "Whydidn'tyoutellme
it was lead-poisoned in thefirst place?"
she asked Owens. "I can't answer that
because you have filed a lawsuit," was
Owens response.
The woman went on to explain the
mental difficulties, especially with learning, her son is now experiencing from
whatsheattributestothelead poisoning
of her PNHT rental property.
The PRESS has learned that this
wasn't the first time the lead-poisoning
issue has come up for Owens. A few
years ago Debra Applebee raised the
issue of her son having been poisoned
on PNHT property. Afterthediscovery,
Owens did not want to move the family,
instead he had construction workers do
demolition work in the unit. When the
family wouldn't stand for it, Owens
moved them to anotherPNHT property.
However, that apartment also contained
lead contamination and and didn't
have any windows in some areas ofthe
apartment. In diis case Owens decided
to setde out of court.
Janet Thunder told the goup that she,
too, had had a numberof problems with
PNHT management. In one instance
Thunder said that she called to report a
backed-up toilet. She said, "When I
called the PNHToffice all I got was
people with snotty attitudes. They told
me that they couldn't send anybody out
because the maintenance worker was in
a car accident....so do you know who
they called?Rotor-Rooter! And Jacquie,
the property manager, sent me thebill!''
In another billing matter, the housing
agency charged Thunder her for trash
that was picked up by the City of Minneapolis. "I didnt get a notice from
PNHT saying that I had to move the
trash, and the trash that the City was
refferring to was just some twigs that
were sticking out ofthe ground," she
said.
PHNT/SeePage5
\

'
*8SSS*^
TmmmmmmWmM
wmWm
,
FBI asked by State to investigate Detox issue
By Gary Blair
The Minneapolis office ofthe FBI has
been asked by the Minnesota State
Health Department to investigate the
client abuse that closed the old Hennepin County detoxification center.
According to the Bureau's Special
Agent Callen Rowley, if a probe is
warranted it will follow similar lines as
the "Rodney King'' case. Rowley said,
'' Asyou remember, the first trial ended
in an aquittal and then there was a
second trial for civil rights violations. If
there is an investigation this is the type
it will be," shesaid.
Sources at the U.S. Attorney's office
in Minneapolis also confirmed thatthey
haverecievedasimilarletterfromMike
Tripple of the State's Department of
Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints. AccordingtotheU.S. Attorney's
Office, they would only act ifthe FBI's
investigation warranted. Mike Tripple,
ofthe State Health Department told the
PRESS, "We will assist them in their
investigation in any way we can.''
The client abuse which occurred at
the old Hennepin County detox center,
closed latelastyear, was no secret in the
Indian community. For years people
such as Lee Staples, an enrollee ofthe
Red Lake Reservation, tried to get Native American social service program
directors to help address the problem,
but to no avail. In October of 1992,
Staples testified in an open forum at the
Minnespolis American Indian Center
about the detox center client abuse and
about his efforts to expose it. Staples
said he went to various community
program directors and they did not offer
him any support.
Answers to why Staple's repeated
requests for help wentunaddressed may
be found on many levels in the Native
American community. Many social service programs receive part of their
fundingfrom Hennepin County and the
City of Minneapolis and our program
directors are not interested in challenging officials who vote on that funding.
In fact, the PRESS, has found that very
few program directors or their staff live
in the Indian community. Example, not
one staff person at the Minneapolis
IndianHealthBoardlivesinthePhillips
neighborhood of South Minneapolis.
Other programs may have one or two
staff that live in the neighborhood, but
forthe most partyou can count the total
number out of hundreds of people on
one hand
Ifyou ask these people who run our
community programs why they do not
live in the Indian community they'll
quickly tell you they do not want the
social problems now associated with
their own people. Example, they say,
"There's not enough decent housing.''
If they know that this is a problem, why
don't they try and do something about
it?Instead, theiranswerto poor housing
or gangproblems is to move to adifferat
neighborhood. In other words, it's
these same people who do notlive in the
community that the program funders
havelistened to when they wantto know
about the problems faced by Indian
people. Apparently, these abuse issues
have been effectively covered-up by our
so called community leadership. Why
else would these people who were using
the old Hennepin County detox center
remain quiet about being abused
If you've been following the PRESS
for the last year, you know that we've
run numerous stories on what Indian
people have reported aboutbeing abused
at the old detox center. Of course, that
was after these people learned that there
were other Indian people who were
willing to listen to them and do something about it. Now that the problem of
abuse has been exposed at the old 1800
Chicago Avenue South site, what have
our program directors been willing to
do about it? Well for starters, one of
them was outside the Johnson Brewery
Company on University Avenue in St
Paul, Minnesota, with members ofhis
staff protesting against the malt beer
called'' Crazy House.'' Of course ifyou
drink too much of that stuff you could
land in the Hennepin County detox
center and then be subjected to assault
Detox/ See Page 4
American Indian Dance theater comes to Bemidji/ Page 5
Mankiller to speak at women's conference in Mpls/ Page 6
St. Cloud American Indian Center to open/ Page 8
Vento enters amendment in favor ofNative Americans/ Page 3
New Native business forms in Woodbury/ Page 3
The Circle Editor is fired by MAIC Executive Director/ Page 1
Voice of the Anishinabeg
i
Fifty Cents
Ojibwe
News
We Support: Equal Opportunity For AB
Founded in 19B8 Volume 5 Issue BO November 1B, 1993
\
A weekly publication.
Copyright, The Ojibwe Mews, 1993
Pictured is Battery E, 127th Field Artillery, Camp Robinson, Arkansas, 1941
Picture courtesy, Howard Bibeau, Manassas, Virginia, and Viet Nam era Veterans, Inter-tribal Association and
Disabled American Veterans, Virginia Chapter 15
The only all Native American artillery unit of World War II is remembered and honored
By Frank Bibeau
It is said that "a picture is worth a
.1000 words", butthis picture is worth
at least that per person. Most of the
young men in this photo came from
Haskell Indian School to form the
' 'Only All Native American Battery
ofWorldWarll". Before attending
Haskell, theseyoung men came from
Minnesota, North and SouthDakota,
the southwest U.S., with most from
Oklahoma, where the Trail of Tears
ended with relocation for many
eastern Tribes. It is truly a testament
to the courage of these men, to know
that two generations before a similar
appearing group men in traditional
attire with weaponry, would have been
considered the enemy.
These men of Battery "E" ofthe
127th Field Artillery Battalion started
out as Calvary and conducted
maneuvers with the National Guard
in Minnesota in 1940. But as WWII
came closer to involving the U.S.,
this unit became an Artillery Battery
using WWI 155 Howitzer cannons.
I myself have only had the privilege
to meet one of these warriors in person,
Don Fairbanks from Sugar Point on
Leech Lake Reservation. Don was
still in his teens when this photo was
taken. Don is standing in the back
row, by the right cannon, with the oak
tree at his back, standing at Parade
Rest.
When Don was born in 1922, Native
Americans were still being placed on
reservations, and were not made
citizens of these United States of
America until 1924, by an Act of
Congress. I try to look at the faces of
these young men and imagine the
pace of change of their world then,
and even through today. Many of
these men have since gone on, retired,
or returned home.
I asked Don about being an all
Native American group, and if it was
a type of segregation? But unlike the
all Black groups in World War II,
Native Americans served in any unit.
Whereas I was told Blacks were not
fully integrated into the military until
Korea in the 1950's.
Don's service is truly honorable, as
he went onto serve in the Airborne
Paratroopers in Africa, Italy, France
and Germany. Don made at least 3
jumps behind enemy lines and served
a total of 420 days on the front lines in
WWII. Later he serve in Korea for
another 180 days.
As I look to my family, my father
too served and retired after 20 years in
the Air Force. Most of my uncles
served and a few of the next
generation. While I served in the
Navy, my brother is making a career
in the AirForce, which included recent
Gulf War service. And now 40 years
after Don fought in Korea, my brother
is leaving in January to serve a year in
Korea too.
I was watching the news the
other morning and there is a new
statue being placed near THE
WALL in Washington to
commemorate the women who
served in Viet Nam. It was blessed
by Native Spiritual people in
Arizona and now making its way
to Washingtonfor a 1993 Veterans
Day unveiling. While the
recognition is late, like with the
WALL, it is still very welcome.
Fortunately, Native American
culture has always welcomed home
their warriors, and honored them at
every Pow Wow with Honor Guard
ceremonies and songs. In some ways,
military service may have provided a
better transition to the culture and
society of this country than the other
forms of assimilation.
Sometimes we forget what
Veteran's Day means, or who it is
about in 1993. But as you look at this
picture you can not help but witness
the warrior and the honor of these
men.
November 15th deadline for museums is fast PNHT board of directors meet with residents
approaching
By Mel Rasmussen
On November 15, 1993, various
reservation business committees
should have received notification from
museums and Federal agencies from
across the country. These museums
must advise the tribes-of what sacred
relics they have in their collections.
This is part ofthe requirements ofthe
Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act of 1990
(NAGPRA).
The Act requires that museums and
Federal agencies document certain
Native American human remains and
cultural items within their collections.
Notify all Indian Tribes and Native
Hawaiian organizations that are or
are likely to be affiliated with these
holdings. Provide an opportunity for
the repatriation of appropriate human
remains or cultural items.
The requirement of the ACT also
applies to any department, agency, or
instrumentality ofthe United States,
excepting the Smithsonian Institution
who is covered in another ofthe Act.
More specifically, any institution or
state or local government agency
(including any institution of higher
learning) that has possession, or
control over, human remains or
cultural items and received Federal
NAGPRA/See Page 3
on housing issues
By Delvin Cree
Ruth Denny, Circle Editor, fired by MAIC
Executive Director, Frannie Fairbanks
By Mel Rasmussen
There has been a turn of events in the
issues between the Editor ofthe Circle
Newspaper and the Executive Director
of the Minneapolis American Indian
Center, Frannie Fairbanks. Ms. Denny
stated in a telephone interview that she
had been fired on Thursday, November
11 by the Executive Director. She stated
that the reason that she was terminated
was because she failed to attend staff
meetings the was ordered to attend.
Denny stated that this was a new
requirement in her position after she
had written an editorial in the Circle
concerning change in the management
within the Center. She also indicated
that she had never received any warning
of this adverse action nor any warning
concerning her actions.
Denny stated that in the early
afternoon, Fairbanks had come
downstairs to the Circle's office and
handed hera memorandum stating that
she was being fired on the spot. Denny
was asked if she was aware of any
appeals process for this adverse action
in reference to the Center's employee
manual. She has never been told of this
protection nor was she informed of her
rights. There is no indication that she
has been provided any protections or
information as to her rights With the
Center's policy and procedures manual
concerning an employees rights for
appeal.
Denny was asked if Fairbanks talked
to her about this dismissal. She stated
that all Fairbanks did was grin and
present a smug attitude about the
memorandum.. She apparently refused
to recognize her existence and just stated
that she should leave her keys with
Adeline Goodman, the Center's
Administrative Assistant. At that point
Fairbanks left and left behind the attitude
of glee and happiness as if she had
finally vanquished a foe of some type.
Denny stated that she has been in
contact with an attorney about this
matter. She was not sure of her rights as
an employee but would be sure to check
into it. It appears that the rights ofthe
First Amendment and its addressing of
freedom of the Press has finally been
violated. Censorship runs in many forms
and it is now up to the community to
address these communal issues and
rights.
Minneapolis residents who rent from
the Phillips Neighborhood Housing
Trust (PNHT) recendy had the opportunity tovoice their concerns ata special
board of directors meeting. The meeting was held at the Four Winds School
in Minneapolis.
For two hours both renters ofthe nonprofit agency and other concerned
residents grilled Christopher Owens,
Director of PNHT. PNHT has been
under heavy critisrh for years for prac-
ticing discrimination, renting
sub-standard housing, and hiring poorly-qualified staff to operate the agency.
Most ofthe people present had found
only frustration when trying to get their
complaints and concerns addressed by
Owens and his management staff.
When the board of directors were
approached they encouraged thePNHT
renters to fill out complaint forms.
"People need to fill out the complaint
forms so that we have documentation in
writing to prove that these are valid
complaints," stated John Brenner a
newly-elected member and alsoa renter.
Many ofthe renters that showed up for
themeetingfilledouttheformsandhad
the opportunity to voice their opinions.
Ronnie Fenner, who presendy works
on the maintenance staff, told the audience of about 75 to 85 people, "We
don' t have the amount of people needed
to function properly.'' When asked how
many people were on the maintenance
staff he stated that their wef e two people
responsibleforapprbxiametly 225 units.
Fenner later told the PRESS that he
worked at another housing agency with
the same number of units and they had
six people working. "Even that wasn't
enough maintenance people."
Most ofthe renters' complaints were
directed towards Owens, who had very
little to say at the meeting. Besides
Owens, one ofthe property managers,
Jacquie Weide, was criticized for im-
proper treatment of renters. Weide, who
has minimal experience in property
management, is reported tobe known in
the community for calling people of
color derrogatory names. Ina statement
made earlier she was alleged to have
referred to renters carrying a brown bag
in their hands as either drunks or drug-
dealers, "Depending on your race,"
sources said.
Another issue that came up was the
lead-poisining problems in PNHT's
housing.One resident stated that she
moved into one ofthe PNHT units and
found out only later that it was lead
contaminated. "Whydidn'tyoutellme
it was lead-poisoned in thefirst place?"
she asked Owens. "I can't answer that
because you have filed a lawsuit," was
Owens response.
The woman went on to explain the
mental difficulties, especially with learning, her son is now experiencing from
whatsheattributestothelead poisoning
of her PNHT rental property.
The PRESS has learned that this
wasn't the first time the lead-poisoning
issue has come up for Owens. A few
years ago Debra Applebee raised the
issue of her son having been poisoned
on PNHT property. Afterthediscovery,
Owens did not want to move the family,
instead he had construction workers do
demolition work in the unit. When the
family wouldn't stand for it, Owens
moved them to anotherPNHT property.
However, that apartment also contained
lead contamination and and didn't
have any windows in some areas ofthe
apartment. In diis case Owens decided
to setde out of court.
Janet Thunder told the goup that she,
too, had had a numberof problems with
PNHT management. In one instance
Thunder said that she called to report a
backed-up toilet. She said, "When I
called the PNHToffice all I got was
people with snotty attitudes. They told
me that they couldn't send anybody out
because the maintenance worker was in
a car accident....so do you know who
they called?Rotor-Rooter! And Jacquie,
the property manager, sent me thebill!''
In another billing matter, the housing
agency charged Thunder her for trash
that was picked up by the City of Minneapolis. "I didnt get a notice from
PNHT saying that I had to move the
trash, and the trash that the City was
refferring to was just some twigs that
were sticking out ofthe ground," she
said.
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